Jess and the Bandits is fronted by Texan Jessica Clemmons. The musicians (all Brits) include brothers Ricci and Louis Riccardi on drums and guitar respectively, Dave Troke on bass, Steven Reid Williams on keyboards/guitar. Their new album Here We Go Again perfectly showcases Clemmons's wide vocal range and the band's ability to write both power anthems and heartbreaking slow songs.

Opening with the determined country rock of ‘Ready Set’, Jess and the Bandits show that their debut album is designed to move you in every way possible. While the equally feisty ‘My Name Is Trouble’ and ‘Drunk On Me’ show that the troupe know how to have a good time. From the contemplation of ‘What If’ and ‘If You Can’t Be Mine’ through to the honest realism of addictive current single ‘You Can’t Stop Me’ and self-belief anthem ‘Nitty Gritty’ (a track that is guaranteed to stick in your head for weeks to come).

This album contains four tracks previously released on Clemmon's 5-track 'What If' EP ('Love Like That'; 'She Ain't Me'; 'What If'; and 'Single Tonight'.

By far the band's biggest gamble is the closing track on the album, a cover of Jimmy Webb's 'Wichita Lineman'. I suspect that, like me, a lot of people grew up on the original because their parents owned Glenn Cambell's Wichita Lineman album. This is a song I grew up loving, and still holds a special place in my heart today. So, there was no way (come on, seriously, no way) that Jess and the Bandits could come close to capturing the spirit of the original and bring it up to date for a new audience. The reality is, however, that Jess and the Bandits version is probably stronger than Cambell's original. It's a wonderful interpretation that shows a true love of the original. It strips everything back to a piano and vocals, before subtly introducing a little background guitar.

The album contains 13 tracks (42 min, 01 sec) and straddles the fence between pop and country. It's a modern, catchy, beautiful collection of songs that should be on everyone's summer playlist.

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Nick Smithson